The heart and center for Lutherans is the Word of God, Jesus, and His work to save us sinners from the punishment we deserve on account of our sin and rebellion against God. We view Scripture through the lens of Jesus Christ (John 5:39; Luke 24:27, 44; Acts 8:35), Who is God’s Word come in the flesh (John 1:1, 14). He is still really and actually present in His Word to give us life (John 6:63) and to abide with us (Matthew 28:16-20). This effects how we worship, pray, sing, and live our daily lives.
Everyone approaches and views the world and God’s Word from various viewpoints. Rather than making ourselves or some principle in the world the central way through which we understand God and the world, Lutherans understand that Jesus is the central way in which God communicates to us. Jesus at the center changes how we read Scripture and how see and understand God. The Reformation was a re-centering of theology back on Christ Jesus, back on His Word.
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Lutheran Writings
Why there are many papers, articles, books and so forth written by Martin Luther and various others Lutherans, these writings do not have authority in the church. Many are highly regarded written works and are still studied and read today. However, all such works must be judged by God’s Word, by Scripture. None can supersede or rule over Scripture. Scripture alone stands as the judge.
Of all the human writings, though, the Lutheran confessions hold a special place as clearly-defined and articulated statements of faith. They confess what Lutherans believe to be right and good and what is wrong and misleading. They confess what God’s Word says and what God’s Word condemns. They also confess what Lutherans retain and use from tradition–things not commanded nor condemned by God–but found useful by His people in teaching generation after generation.
